Author E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime (1975) Author E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime
(1975) was one of the cultural happenings of the past decade. The novel
received largely rhapsodic reviews; its fictional use of such
historical figures as Henry Ford and J.P. Morgan prompted reams of
analysis. Commercial success accompanied the critical welcome.
Paperback rights went for $1.9 million, a record at the time, a film
deal was struck, and Ragtime became a bestseller. As the cash register
continued to jingle, though, a number of literati began backing and
filling from their earlier praise. If...